Weekly Torah-based Bible study from Sonoma County

April 16, 2024: Galatians 2:15–21. While Paul, Kefa (Peter) and Yaakov (James) preached the same “gospel,” Peter’s actions in Galatians 2 showed he still struggled with fully accepting Gentile inclusion in the Abrahamic covenant promise and in Israel. Paul had to correct Peter to align his “walk” with his own experience in Acts 10:1–11:18, when the Spirit led him to openly fellowship with Cornelius and other Gentiles, demonstrating all are equal heirs of God’s promise through faith alone. (TorahResource commentary pages 86–100)

• Galatians 2:15-21 and its relation to Jewish and Gentile inclusion in the kingdom of God.
  • Paul addresses what some view as tension between Yaakov’s and Peter’s views on Gentile inclusion in the faith.
  • In the first century there was a diverging views people can enter the kingdom of God, including birth and faith.
  • This tension between those born into the kingdom and those grafted in, and how some of the former may look down on the latter, is addressed in the Epistle to the Romans.
• Spiritual entry into the kingdom and the challenges of zeal in new believers. (5:30)
  • The discussion revolves around Paul’s teachings on liberty and membership in the kingdom, with a focus on the differences between natural and spiritual birth.
  • Familiarity can breed contempt or apathy: those born into a country may take its freedoms for granted.
  • Congregational leaders face challenge of balancing zeal of new believers with careful leadership development and discipleship.
• Barriers to entry in the kingdom of God. (12:21)
  • 2Peter 3:14-18: Peter reflects on Paul’s letters, acknowledging some teachings are difficult to understand due to cultural context.
  • Peter reflects on God’s work with nations, citing Moses’ teachings as crucial for understanding Israel’s identity.
  • Jeff Quackenbush discusses the importance of teaching the fundamentals of society and the kingdom of God.
  • He highlights the tension between preserving tradition and allowing newcomers into the kingdom.
• Salvation through faith, not works, with emphasis on individual growth and community coordination. (19:11)
  • Some struggle with coordinating growth in a diverse church, fearing a focus on works rather than faith.
  • Paul and Peter discuss salvation through works of God, not Law. The Torah shows us our need for God’s work in us.
• Faith and works in James 2. (23:28)
  • Apostle Yaakov’s take on faith and Torah parallel’s Paul’s: James 2:14-26 emphasizes the importance of living out one’s faith in action.
  • “Faith without works is dead”: God’s salvation is a gift. We are transformed by obeying the words of God we trust in, not by believing alone.
  • It’s important to trust God’s way of bringing people into the kingdom, rather than trying to figure out how to earn or divine God’s favor.
  • James 2:14-16 highlights the importance of showing compassion to others, as God has shown compassion to us, and how our behavior can demonstrate our faith in God.
• Trust and faith in God’s leadership. (30:12)
  • The importance of trust and obedience in response to God’s instruction.
  • The works of the Spirit are the fruits of God’s favor, not the means to earn it.
  • Trust is a crucial factor in leadership and decision-making, as it can lead to positive outcomes or serious problems.
  • The speaker emphasizes that having a genuine relationship with God requires letting go of old systems and cultures, regardless of proximity to Israel.
• Paul’s argument with Peter in Galatians, focusing on “Jews by nature, not sinners from the Gentiles.” (37:37)
  • Paul in Galatians 2:15-16 seems to be pointing to or paraphrasing a catchphrase of the influencers-detractors.
  • Paul spars with Peter on how non-Jewish converts to Christianity should be viewed and treated. In short, the issue is that Peter in the incident recounted in Galatians 2 wasn’t practicing what he was preaching in Acts 10:1-11:18: “Therefore if God gave to them the same gift as He gave to us also after believing in the Lord Jesus Christ, who was I that I could stand in God’s way?” (Acts 11:17 NASB95).
• Misunderstanding Paul’s teachings and their impact on scripture interpretation. (42:26)
  • The circumcision of the heart (Deut. 10:16; 30:6; Jer. 4:4; Josh. 5:9) is a response to heaven’s work inside of us, “cutting off” old ways of life. The physical act-symbol is a response to that internal change.
  • Revisiting 2Peter 3:14-18: Peter affirms Paul’s teachings, warns against distorting scripture.
• Spiritual vs cultural aspects of legacy in Israel. (49:31)
  • Joining Israel as a physical member means changing within and fostering that change from generation to generation, not just preserving tradition over time.
  • The difference between cultural trappings of faith and true spiritual transformation.
  • The legacy of the kingdom of God is at risk if spiritual aspects are not preserved alongside cultural ones.
• Bridging the gulf between God and humanity through faith in Messiah. (56:21)
  • The gap between God and humanity, caused by the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Bad.
  • Transformative insight prefigured in Israel’s “born again” second generation post-Exodus: Through faith, we die to old ways and are born anew in the kingdom.
• Spiritual disciplines and loving others as oneself. (1:02:05)
  • A personal journey with Sabbath observance, embracing laws as draws closer to God.
  • There’s spectrum of sin, from unintentional to willful to rebellious.
  • The connection between loving God and loving others.
• The role of Nazirites in Israel and their connection to the kingdom of God. (1:09:33)
  • Apostle Yaakov in Acts 21 directs Paul to sponsor and participate in the decommissioning ceremony for four who had taken a nazir (nazirite) vow (Numbers 6).
  • Circumcision of the heart and comparing oneself to God’s Law are both necessary for salvation (Romans 7).
  • God’s presence to go with believers worldwide through Nazirite vow.
  • The Nazirite vow allows common people to participate partly in Tabernacle/Temple service, and the commissioning/decommissioning ceremonies for priests and nazirs are similar.

April 9, 2024: Galatians 2:11–14. Paul argued that God made believing goyim (gentiles) part of Heaven’s covenant with Abraham, saving them by their trust (faith) in that path, not through a human path of “conversion” that could include Heaven-prescribed symbols like circumcision. This view of salvation is fundamental to the gospel message found in both the Torah and teachings of Yeshua (Jesus), as the Torah demonstrates humanity’s need for salvation and is an essential part of understanding God and the good news of His kingdom. (TorahResource commentary pages 76–86)

• Confrontation and respecting authority in Galatians 2
• Paul’s teachings on table fellowship and the misinterpretation of Galatians 2:11-14 (7:25)
• Imposing cultural norms in Christianity (16:23)
• Did the “influencers” really “from Yakob”? The role of Yakob (James) in the early Christian ecclesia (21:16)
• Table fellowship in ancient Jewish culture. (28:17)
• Jewish dietary laws and cultural influences on food choices (32:52)
• Circumcision and its significance in the early Christian ecclesia (39:15)
• Jewish identity and practices during the Maccabean era (47:17)
• Jewish practices and separation from the world (52:21)
• The relationship between law and gospel in the context of Messiah and the kingdom of God (57:40)

April 2, 2024: Galatians 2:5–10. Paul’s teaching emphasized that the true gospel message, that salvation comes through faith in Yeshua alone, has always been consistent with the Torah’s promise since Abraham. While it was a common 1st century teaching that Gentiles must convert via one of the forms of Judaism at the time to be part of this covenant, Paul showed this “different gospel” contradicted the Torah’s promise of blessing all nations through Israel. Paul affirmed his message was fully in line with Ya’akov (James), Peter, and Yokhanan (John), who recognized the grace given to Paul to bring this gospel to the Gentiles, just as they brought it to the Jewish people. Those three “pillars” saw Paul’s work as continuing the true mission of Israel to bless all people through Messiah. (TorahResource commentary pages 68–76)

• The origins and expansion of the Abrahamic covenant. (4:12)
• Faith and identity in the context of Jewish tradition. (8:49)
• Exodus and trust in God’s deliverance. (17:08)
• Salvation, protection, and sanctification in the Bible. (21:40)
• Circumcision and its significance in Jewish tradition. (27:02)
• Paul’s mission and theology. (35:41)
• Paul’s teachings on salvation and the gospel in Galatians. (39:32)
• Abraham’s righteousness and its relation to circumcision in early Judaism. (46:58)
• Judaism and Christianity in the context of fellowship and shared beliefs. (53:54)

March 26, 2024: Galatians 2:1–4. Assuming that Galatians predates the Jerusalem Council recorded in Acts 15, Paul submitted his gospel message — Messiah brings the nations and native-born of Israel into the Abrahamic covenant — to the 12 apostles to make sure what he and they were teaching was consistent with Scripture. At issue in Acts and Galatians was a teaching common among the Prushim (Pharisees) in the 1st century that one entered the covenant and thus the Kingdom of Heaven through conversion, chiefly symbolized by physical circumcision. But the same Torah that commands that participants in the Passover be circumcised also emphasizes that what is more important is circumcision of the heart and trust in the Holy One of Israel.

Passover commemorates the Exodus, Heaven’s deliverance of Israel from bondage in Egypt, along with a “mixed multitude” of others who exited with them. Passover also is a memorial of our freedom from our personal “Egypt” and being brought into God’s presence, taught through the Tabernacle. Sin is our real bondage, rather than God’s law. The gospel offers liberation by freeing our hearts from the lies of our life apart from God’s presence. Keeping God’s commandments out of love — in response to salvation — brings true freedom, as Yeshua exemplified through both living out the Torah and by covering/removing our sins, transgressions and iniquities from Heaven’s remembrance. (TorahResource commentary pages 57–68)

• Galatians 2:1-10 and the Jerusalem Council. (0:11)
• Presenting the gospel in a compassionate and respectful manner. (9:15)
• Circumcision of heart and faith in Israel. (15:45)
• Baptism, leadership, and humility. (24:08)
• Religious practices and legacy in ancient Israel. (36:56)
• Liberty and freedom in Christ. (42:24)
• Religious liberty in Christ. (54:51)
• The yoke of sin and the freedom of the Gospel. (1:03:30)
• Religious freedom and social separation in the early Christian church. (1:08:32)

March 19, 2024: Galatians 1:18–24. Yeshua is central to Paul’s gospel message and the good news of the kingdom of God. Being “in Messiah” means having confidence to approach God through Yeshua’s perfect sacrifice, as he fulfills the role of the perfect offering that can come into God’s presence. All are dependent on trusting in God’s mercy and favor through Yeshua. (TorahResource commentary pages 51–55)

• Seriousness of vows and oaths in the Torah (0:00)
• Witness credibility and reliability in legal contexts (5:44)
• Paul’s conversion and spiritual journey (10:32)
• Paul’s journey to Arabia and his Torah studies (15:53)
• Paul’s authorship of biblical texts (24:27)
• Galatians theme of being “in Messiah” (31:04)
• The tabernacle and temple in Hebrews (37:35)
• Importance of genuine faith and obedience in Israel’s history (46:57)
• Spirituality and the distinction between physical and spiritual realms (55:37)
• Liberty in Christ and its relationship to God’s law (1:05:08)

March 12, 2024: Galatians 1:15–17. Paul received Heaven’s calling and revelation of Yeshua on the road to Damascus (Acts 9), rather than a conversion from one religion to another. Paul spent three years in Arabia studying the Tanach¹ with new eyes literally and metaphorically opened by Yeshua, seeing how Yeshua is the fulfillment of Scripture about Heaven’s promises (covenants) with Eve, Noach (Noah), Abraham, Moshe (Moses) and David. The inclusion of Gentiles (nations other than Israel) into that promise through their trust/faith in Yeshua as the Promise-fulfiller is the gospel (good news) of the Kingdom of God. (TorahResource commentary pages 45–50)

March 5, 2024: Galatians 1:10–14. Paul emphasized that Yeshua is the only way for humanity to enter God’s presence. Paul rejected tradition (halachah, “way of walking”) he previously held as a Pharisee that taught a different way of salvation, a “different gospel”: be converted via circumcision to be part of Israel (Acts 15:1). Paul, as Yeshua’s apostle, affirmed Yeshua’s teachings on the enduring primacy of the Law and the Prophets (Matt. 5:17-19; Luke 16:16-17). Yeshua taught Paul on the Damascus road why that “different gospel” must be rejected (Acts 22:3-15; 26:15-18). While Paul considered that halachah as “loss,” he maintained others (worship on Shabbat) that help one live out God’s mitzvot, khuquot and mishpatim (commandments, ordinances and judgments).

Today, there is again a pull for those who seek to learn Torah halachah from the “experts” to also adopt this “different gospel” of a way into God’s Kingdom besides Yeshua.

Feb. 27, 2024: Galatians 1:1–9. What is the “different gospel” Paul is excoriating the congregations of Galatia? This study explored Paul’s authority as an apostle sent by Christ to preach the true gospel. The discussion covered how Paul’s message aligned with Yeshua’s teachings on the law (especially, Matt. 5:17–19), and debated what constituted distorting the gospel message. Other topics included first century Judaism, the role of tradition, biblical prophecy, and the importance of the New Covenant’s promise of a new heart and spirit.

Feb. 20, 2024: Galatians introduction: Did Paul write Galatians before or after Acts 15? (TorahResource commentary PDF pages 5–11)

Feb. 13, 2024: Galatians introduction: What is the “new covenant” (2Corinthians 3)? (Hallel Fellowship study guide)

Feb. 6, 2024: Galatians introduction: What is the “new covenant” (Romans 11:25–27, Hebrews 8:7–13)? (Hallel Fellowship study guide)

Jan. 30, 2024: Galatians introduction: What is the “new covenant” (Jeremiah 31:31-34; Ezekiel 36:22-39)?